ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
8th India-Australia Defence Policy Talks held in Canberra
The 8th India-Australia Defence Policy Talks  was held at Canberra in Australia on 24-25 July 2023. The Defence policy talks were co-chaired by Special Secretary in Ministry of Defence Smt. Nivedita Shukla Verma, and Acting Deputy Secretary in Department of Defence, Australia Mr Steven Moore.
During the Defence Policy talks, both sides reviewed the bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries and explored new initiatives to further strengthen and deepen bilateral defence engagements. The discussions also focused on identifying ways to strengthen partnership in co-development and co-production of defence equipment. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership based on mutual trust and understanding, common interests and shared values of democracy and rule of law. The Indian side highlighted the potential of the Indian defence industry with capacity and capability to cooperate with Australian Armed forces in its shipbuilding and maintenance plans.
India – Australia share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since June 2020 and defence is a key pillar of this partnership. India and Australia’s partnership is based on a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The two democracies have a common interest in peace and prosperity of the entire region.
The two countries have 2+2 mechanism at the Ministerial level. The 8th DPT reviewed the outcomes of maiden 2+2 conducted in September 2021. Both sides agreed for early finalization of hydrography agreement. The two sides also exchanged views on geo-political situation, regional and global issues of shared interest.
Ministry of Finance
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman holds Pre-Budget consultation with Finance Ministers of State/UTs
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman held the Pre-Budget consultations with Finance Ministers of States and UTs  here today.
The meeting was attended by Chief Ministers of Goa, Haryana and Puducherry, Deputy Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Tripura as well as 17 Finance Ministers/Ministers representing their states and senior Officers from Union Government and States. Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs Shri Anurag Singh Thakur also attended the meeting.
Smt. Sitharaman elucidated Union Government's philosophy of "Cooperative Federalism" and steps taken by the Union Government to bolster growth of the economy. State Governments welcomed the opportunity to present their views and expressed their suggestions on growth, investment, resource requirement and Fiscal Policy. They also suggested measures to strengthen cooperation between States and Centre to attain $5 trillion economy.
The Finance Minister welcomed the suggestions made by the State/UTs in the meeting. She assured that the memorandums submitted by State/UTs will be examined and suitably considered.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal reviews preparedness for ‘Cyclone Biparjoy’
We must ensure compliance with the advisories issued by the IMD, DGS, and other authorities in order to protect lives and the environment: Shri Sarbananda Sonowal
Shri Sonowal directs all to take every possible measure to ensure safety of the people
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal today chaired a high level meeting with the officials to review the preparedness for the upcoming Cyclone Biparjoy in Northern Arabian Sea which is heading towards Gujarat Coast and is expected to make landfall on around 15th June. During the meeting, Shri Sonowal directed the senior officers to take every possible measure to ensure that people living in vulnerable locations are safe.
He said, ‘We must ensure compliance with the advisories issued by the IMD, DGS, and other authorities in order to protect lives and environment also ensure that all precautionary/preventive measures and arrangements are made in time to provide necessary rescue, shelter, rehabilitation, and relief as required’.
Shri Sonowal also directed DG Shipping, respective Ports, and all concerned to set up a control room. ‘All Ports in the region to SITREP at regular intervals to update with regards to measures taken to safeguard against cyclone’ he added.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Unique ID for Farmers
Ministry of Agriculture& Farmers Welfare, Government of India is in the process for creating unique ID of farmers of the country. The unique identifier of the farmer will link the farmer profile with all the agricultural schemes, which have been availed by the farmer. Some of the benefits to the Farmers are given below:
- Provisioning Farmer’s verification through e- Know Your Farmer  which would eliminate the need of re-submitting physical documents to different departments for availing benefit under different schemes.
- Access to field based & customised advisories.
- Ease of accessing the damage to crops due to extreme weather condition.
As on 09.12.2021, the database of farmers registered under PM-KISAN includes 11.64 Crores farmers including the state of Tamil Nadu wherein, 47.82 lakhs farmers have been registered.
This information was given by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
ICG efforts towards Cyclone 'FANI' in Bay of Bengal
Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Fani' commenced making landfall around 0819hrs between Gopalpur and Chandbali in Odisha, today. Indian Coast Guard has initiated series of pre-emptive measures from April 23, 2019 onwards with the first sign of low pressure in South East Bay of Bengal.
- 34 Disaster Response Teams  were kept standby at various places.
- 02 CG ships, ICGS Sagar and ICGS Shaurya sailed from Chennai with helicopter embarked onboard ICGS Shaurya for aerial surveillance and assistance to affected areas.
- 02 CG ships, ICGS Samudra Paheredar and ICGS Shaunak sailed from Visakhapatnam with potable water, lifesaving equipment and Gemini craft embarked. ICGS Shaunak sailed with helicopter embarked for air surveillance/ assistance to stranded people.
- ICG Disaster Response Teams were dispatched for assistance at Fishing Hamlets and Port areas of Gopalpur post cyclone Fani crossed the coast.
- ICG Dorniers kept standby to carry out surveillance/ assessment post landfall.
- Medical teams have been augmented at Paradip, Haldia and Gopalpur for emergency medical management.
- Food packets and potable water has been kept standby at ICG stations for immediate distribution.
- Real time communication is being maintained with all ICG Stations, SDMA control rooms and Disaster Response Team.
Continuous liaison is being maintained with SDMA and all local authorities for Disaster Response and Relief.
Ministry of Education
National level Workshop held to review of National Means cum Merit Scholarship Scheme on National Scholarship Portal
A National Workshop on National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme  was held on 10th March, 2023 at Mirza Ghalib Hall, Scope Complex, New Delhi. State Education Officers /State Nodal Officer  of States and UTs attended the Workshop which was presided over by Ms. A. Srija, Economic Adviser, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India. The objective of the Workshop was to conduct a review of status of fresh and renewal scholarship applications, KYC and democratic authentication for Institutes, Status of Red Flag Applications on NSP, Electronic Register, Aadhaar verified applications for the year 2022-23 and preparation to expedite registration of fresh applications as well as renewal applications on National Scholarship Portal in 2023-24.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
DD Free Dish cross 40 million Household: EY FICCI ME Report 2021
DD Free Dish has continued its strong growth trajectory and its base has crossed an estimated 40 million subscribers according to the EY FICCI Media Entertainment Report 2021. The growth has been attributed to less expensive television sets, economic issues, launch of the DD Retro Channel and return of big broadcasters to the Free Dish platform. DD Free Dish has also become a second set top box within the home, used when there are no large events on television in some cases. Free Dish distributors have mentioned year on year growth in sales as well as the inability to keep up with demand due to a shortage of China-manufactured chipsets. Television households will continue to grow at over 5% till 2025, driven by connected TVs which could cross 40 million by 2025 and DD Free Dish could cross 50 million.
DD Free Dish, is a multi-channel Free-To-Air Direct to Home  service of Prasar Bharati. Primary objective of DD Free Dish is to provide an alternative and affordable platform for quality entertainment & information to people without any subscription fee.
Presently DD Free Dish hosts 161 TV channels including 91 Doordarshan channels , 70 private channels and 48 radio channels. With effect from 1.4.2021 DD Free Dish private TV channel bouquet would comprise of 10 Hindi GEC, 15 Hindi Movies, 6 Music, 20 News, 8 Bhojpuri, 3 Devotional and 2 Foreign channels. DD Free Dish is presently under upgradation and is expected to add another few channels in its bouquet by May 2021. Recently an online webapp has also been released that aids consumers in finding DD Free Dish Set Top Box dealers based on their nearest location.
The 2021 edition of the FICCI-EY report on the Indian media and entertainment  sector released in March 2021 showcases the present and future growth scenario of every segment of M&E viz. TV, radio, print, digital, etc. in the light of demand patterns shift aided by the growth of digital infrastructure accompanied by accelerated digital media adoption .
Prime Minister's Office
Women-Led Development Essential to take the Nation Forward: PM at Independence Day Speech
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 77th Independence Day today, underlined the importance of women-led development and how it is essential to take the country forward. The PM recalled that India can proudly say today that it has the maximum number of woman pilots in the civil aviation sector. Women scientists are also leading the Chandrayaan Mission, added the PM.
The Prime Minister said that he has taken forward the issue of Women-Led Development at G20 and that the G20 countries have accepted it and are recognizing its importance.
Talking of 'Nari Samman', the Prime Minister shared an experience from one of his foreign visits, where a senior minister of that nation asked him whether the women in India study science and engineering. Prime Minister said that he replied that today in our country, girls outnumber boys in the pursuit of STEM  and that the world today is looking at this capacity of ours.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Yoga is a priceless gift to the entire humanity: Union Minister of State Shri Ashwini Choubey
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey performed Yoga at Inche Monastery in Sikkim, Gangtok along with Governor of the state Shri Ganga Prasad and Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang on the occasion of International Day of Yoga.
Shri Choubey said that the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, through his efforts, has extended the acceptance of this priceless gift of Indian culture to entire humanity across the globe. The whole world has adopted Yoga, today. And through Yoga we are connecting globally. With regular Yoga, we can keep the body healthy said the MoS.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people of UP on Uttar Pradesh Diwas
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Uttar Pradesh on occasion of Uttar Pradesh Diwas.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“उत्तर प्रदेश दिवस पर यहां के लोगों को ढेरों शुभकामनाएं। बीते कुछ वर्षों में राज्य के विकास ने हर किसी का ध्यान अपनी ओर खींचा है। यूपी के लोगों ने कई क्षेत्रों में मिसाल कायम की है। मैं देश की प्रगति में अहम योगदान दे रहे इस प्रदेश की निरंतर समृद्धि की कामना करता हूं।”
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Various initiatives and projects undertaken under Sagarmala Programme to facilitate shifting of cargo from conventional land-based transportation to coastal shipping mode
Under Sagarmala Programme, various initiatives and projects have been undertaken to facilitate shifting of cargo from conventional land-based transportation to coastal shipping mode. In this regard, the Government has taken following measures to enhance coastal shipping:
 Under the Sagarmala Programme, 70 projects worth Rs.2856 crore have been sanctioned for the development of Coastal Berths, Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax Jetties/Passenger Jetties etc. Out of which 15 projects worth Rs. 849 crore have been completed.
 Licensing relaxation under section 407 of the Merchant shipping Act is given to container vessels for carrying EXIM containers and empty containers at transhipment ports for outbound transport; and to foreign flag vessels carrying agricultural, fisheries, horticultural, fertilizers and animal produce commodities subject to the condition that these commodities constitute at least 50% of the cargo on board the ship at the beginning of the coastal leg.
 A discount of 40% is offered by major ports on vessel and cargo related charges to coastal cargo vessels.
 Priority berthing policy for coastal vessels has been notified to reduce turnaround time for coastal vessels and improve their utilization.
 Reduction of GST on bunker fuels used in Indian Flag Vessels from 18% to 5%.
 Green channel clearance introduced for faster evacuation of coastal cargo at ports.
 Allowed reimbursement of freight subsidy on primary movement of subsidized urea and P&K fertilizers by coastal shipping or inland water transportation.
 The projects for improvement in the first and last mile road and rail connectivity with all the major and non-major ports have also been identified for faster cargo movement. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is working with Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to implement these projects.
The details of the coastal cargo traffic state wise for last three years is as under:
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State-wise coastal cargo traffic for last three years 
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States
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|
2019-20
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2020-21
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2021-22
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|
Gujarat
|
|
32
|
|
27
|
|
31
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
25
|
|
24
|
|
28
|
|
Goa
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
17
|
|
14
|
|
17
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
5
|
|
5
|
|
5
|
|
Kerala
|
|
6
|
|
6
|
|
6
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
14
|
|
15
|
|
17
|
|
Puducherry
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
Odisha
|
|
20
|
|
17
|
|
22
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|
West Bengal
|
|
5
|
|
3
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|
3
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Andaman & Nicobar
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
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Total 
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127
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114
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|
133
This information was given by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Grassroots Innovations Accelerator program announced to support grassroots innovators with entrepreneurial, product & market development
A Grassroots Innovations Accelerator program has been announced at the ongoing Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship  2023, organized at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, to help grassroots innovators in farming with support for entrepreneurial, product, and market development.
The Programme announced on April 11, 2023, is a result of a partnership between the NIF Incubation and Entrepreneurship Council , a TBI hosted by the National Innovation Foundation  - India, and Publicis Sapient, a digital business transformation company. The partnership will help commercialize innovations by grassroots innovators to solve challenges in agriculture and farming.
As pilot technologies for the program, prototypes of five distinct grassroots innovations were identified. These included a pepper thresher, cole vegetable harvester, mini pulses mill, clove bud separator, and walnut peeler. The innovators of these prototypes will be provided end-to-end incubation support encompassing capacity building, access to a fabrication lab, risk capital and market, and long-term support necessary to commercialize and make these innovations market ready.
NIFientreC was established in the year 2015 with financial support from the Department of Science and Technology  for incubation and commercialization of technological ideas and innovations of grassroots innovators, outstanding traditional knowledge holders, and students across the country. The host institution, NIF, is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology , Government of India.
This program is in sync with Sustainable Development Goal  9, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 with the aim to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. NIFientreC continues to support grassroots innovators in various ways and pave the way for wider adoption through dissemination, both through social and commercial channels.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Gulshan Rai, Chairperson, NIFientreC, said, “This one-of-a-kind Public Private Partnership Program will set an example for societal development through commercialization and scaling up of grassroots innovations, which is a step toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
Expressing optimism on the partnership, Sanjay Menon, Managing Director, Publicis Sapient India, said, “We believe technology has the power to change lives, communities, and the entire world for the better. It is heartening to see the spirit of innovation among people who are building these prototypes driven by their sheer passion with no background in science and technology.”
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Ministry of Home Affairs
MHA amends Lockdown Guidelines to facilitate Domestic Air Travel for Stranded Persons in India
Union Ministry of Home Affairs , has amended the guidelines on lockdown measures to fight COVID-19, so as tofacilitate domestic air travel for stranded persons in India.
Detailed guidelines for operation of airports and air travel of passengers would be issued by Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Click here to see the Official Document
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India scales an unprecedented peak, Total COVID Recoveries cross 1 Crore mark
Recovered Cases are 44 times Active Cases
51% of the Total Recovered cases from Five States
India has leaped across a significant milestone in its fight against COVID, today.
Total Cumulative recoveries have crossed 1 crore mark . India's recoveries are the highest in the world.
19,587 patients have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours. The national Recovery Rate has further grown to 96.36%. The gap between active cases and recovered cases is continuously increasing .
The Recovered cases are 44 times the number of Active Cases.
The total positive cases of the country today are 2,28,083 and comprise merely 2.19% of the total cases.
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51% of the total recovered cases are concentrated in Five States viz Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The National Recovery Rate stands at 96.36%. Following the national pursuit, All States/UTs have Recovery Rate more than 90%.
India’s Recovery Rate is the highest in the world. Countries with higher caseload are reporting lesser Recovery Rate than India’s.
With the expansion in the testing infrastructure, the Positivity Rate of India has also gone down. The daily Positivity Rate remains below 3%.
17 States/UTs have weekly positivity Rate more than the National Average.
79.08% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs .
Kerala continues to lead with 5,110 single day recoveries followed by Maharashtra with 2,570 new recoveries.
83.88% of the new confirmed cases are from 10 States and UTs.
Kerala has reported 6,394 cases in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra recorded 4,382 new cases while Chhattisgarh has registered 1,050 new cases yesterday.
222 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours. Of these, 67.57% are concentrated in six States/UTs.
Maharashtra has reported the maximum single day deaths . Kerala also saw a fatality count of 25 while West Bengal reported 22 new deaths.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
A number of relief measures undertaken by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to assist Kerala in wake of recent heavy floods
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has taken following steps to assist State of Kerala in wake of recent heavy floods:
- Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies  made a CSR contribution of Rs. 25 Crore for Kerala relief operations.
- OMCs have been instructed to organize special camps for LPG customers for supply of documents on priority basis who lost their documents. Further, OMCs will make arrangement for providing cylinders in lieu of lost cylinders during flood-  For BPL families, the OMCs will charge nominal Rs. 200/- per cylinder, and  For APL families, OMCs will charge manufacturing cost of
Rs. 1200/- per cylinder.
- Ministry has allocated 12000 KL of non-subsidized Kerosene  to the State of Kerala on 20.08.2018.
- Ministry has allocated one month quota of PDS kerosene in advanceto the State from 3rd quarter of 2018-19  i.e. 4636 KL.
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited  has pressed into service three helicopters to airlift relief materials  for the flood-hit people of Kerala. Four ONGC doctors have also been flown in to provide medical support. The helicopters were also used in tandem with other disaster management groups for the rescue operations.
- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited , Kochi Refinery has dispatched 30,000 free LPG hot plates for distribution among the flood victims of Kerala through District Magistrates.
- Permission to temporarily use non-certified vehicles to transport LPG cylinders has been granted and advisories issued for providing additional points for collection of LPG cylinders.
- OMCs deployed all the resources at their command and worked day/ night to restore the retail outlets, aviation facilities, LPG and kerosene distribution network affected by floods and to ensure adequate availability of petroleum products.
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Ministry of Defence
CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF PROCEEDS ON A VISIT TO SRI LANKA
General MM Naravane, the Chief of Army Staff  has proceeded on a visit to Sri Lanka from 12 to 16 October 2021. This is his first visit to Sri Lanka as COAS.
During the visit, he will be meeting the Country’s senior military and civilian leadership where he will discuss avenues for enhancing India-Sri Lanka defence relations. The Army Chief will take forward the excellent defence cooperation between Sri Lanka and India through multiple meetings with senior officials of the security establishment and exchange views on various defence related issues. He will interact with the Service Chiefs, visit the Headquarters of the Sri Lankan Army, the Gajaba Regimental Headquarters and the Sri Lankan Military Academy.
The COAS will witness the culmination phase of the joint exercise between India and Sri Lanka, “Exercise Mitra Shakti”, and later address the students and faculty at the Defence Services Command and Staff College at Batalanda.
The Army Chief is also scheduled to call on the Hon'ble President and Hon'ble Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.